WCDS spikers sweep Parrott

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 23, 2008 1:19 PM

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Each point, each game is important toward the future.

Wayne Country Day didn't forget that message when it stepped onto the volleyball court against Arendell-Parrott Academy on Monday afternoon.

The most-experienced team during Juliet Jones' five-year tenure as head coach, the Chargers easily dismantled the Patriots 25-18, 25-20, 25-10.

"Of course, we're working for the 'ship' ... state (1-A) championship," said Jones. "This is by far the best team unity we've had since I've been here. I told them each game is very important to our future.

"I reminded them why we play teams (like this) for the end result."

Senior outside hitter Bridgette Briggs paced a diversified offense with a double-double -- 11 kills, 10 assists -- as the Chargers improved to 11-2 overall. Wayne Country Day served 16 aces as a team and claimed its seventh consecutive victory of the season.

Senior Brooke Norris contributed five kills, six assists and four aces. Sophomore outside hitter Kim Martell and senior middle hitter Jessica Lewis provided six and seven kills, respectively.

Sophomore setter Sterling Coggins contributed six assists.

"Fair," said Jones of the outcome. "I'm happy with the win. I see good (things) in spurts. I just wish we could be a little more consistent because when we play big teams, we can't afford the passing errors ... can't afford the serving errors.

"I'm not downing my team, by any means. I'm glad they put Parrott away in three games."

Parrott (3-7) became the second 2-A team to fall to the Chargers this season. Jones' team split a regular-season series against Fayetteville Christian, a state semifinalist in 2007, in August.

The 60-minute affair had eight ties and three lead changes.

Briggs' kill off Norris' assist gave the Chargers a 12-11 advantage in the opening set. Wayne Country Day tallied seven of the next eight points, including Martel's kill and two aces from Briggs.

The Patriots stopped the run on Chelsea Finical's middle-hit attack. The Chargers responded with a set-clinching 7-4 run which included kills from Lewis, Martel and Briggs. Coggins passed out three assists during that stretch.

Jones' passing and serving concerns surfaced in the second set. Wayne Country Day managed just four kills and survived four miscues in the serving game.

"I always tell them you can't have an offense without a pass," said Jones. "In game two, it was our passing. We can't kill the ball unless we bring it to our target. That has been our downfall since day one, but each day we're progressing and trying to get there.

"Once we got our pass up, the offense was there to take care of the rest."

The Chargers rediscovered their attack in the third set. Norris off-speed shot off Coggins' assist forged a 5-5 tie. Norris stepped back behind the service line and Wayne Country Day reeled off 12 consecutive points.

Lewis, Briggs and Martell all contributed kills during the decisive spurt.

"I've got some pretty good hitters ... four really strong hitters that I'm confident when the set goes up, I know it's going to go down," said Jones. "They're pretty smart with the ball. When they're having an off night, they know how to place the ball.

"It's not all about powering your way (through the block)."

Parrott halted the run on Allie Rawl's kill, but gave possession back on a service error. The Chargers sealed the match with an 8-4 run.

"Each point counts, so it's very important when you have possession of the ball to take care of business," said Jones.

And move one step closer to 'the ship.'